Asking for Reviews as Part of Your Dental Practice Management

It should come as no surprise that most people today turn to the internet to check out health care providers before booking an appointment. So if you’re a dental practice owner or manager, then ensuring your practice has positive online reviews is crucial for success. 

In fact, a study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that having a high number of reviews can significantly boost patients’ attitudes toward your practice. This shows how important reviews are and why getting them needs to be a priority in your practice.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, INC. echoes this sentiment, revealing that satisfied patients tend to share their positive experiences with an average of five others. In contrast, dissatisfied patients may vent their grievances to nine or more people. These numbers reinforce the importance of maintaining a positive online presence.

So how can you effectively manage your dental practice’s online reputation?

Tips for Increasing Positive Google Reviews 

Essentially, you want to make it as effortless for patients to share their experiences as possible because positive reviews can significantly enhance your online reputation and attract new patients. 

While it may seem as straightforward as seizing the moment when a patient expresses positivity in your office, a more effective approach is to offer multiple user-friendly options for patients to share their feedback. 

Let’s explore some of the most productive ways to encourage patient feedback, including utilizing QR codes, embedding review links in post-appointment emails, and incorporating review links into surveys.

1. Don’t overlook QR codes.

QR codes have become a powerful tool in increasing positive Google reviews for dental practices. Statista reports that in 2022 alone, nearly 89 million smartphone users in the U.S. scanned QR codes, marking a 26% increase from 2020. With projections indicating continuous growth, it’s clear that QR codes are here to stay. 

You can strategically place QR codes around your office, on brochures, or appointment cards to make it easy for satisfied patients to access review sites and share their positive experiences.

2. Respond to every review.

Reputation management is a critical aspect of maintaining a positive image for your dental practice. This includes responding to all reviews, both positive and negative. 

While nobody welcomes negative reviews, they are inevitable for most businesses. When addressing critiques, follow these key principles:

• Respond in a timely manner: Swift responses demonstrate your commitment to patient satisfaction.
• Maintain professionalism and courtesy: Avoid any hostile or personal responses and maintain a polite, respectful tone.
• Understand the patient’s experience: Investigate any issues mentioned and be transparent about your efforts to rectify the situation.
• Apologize when appropriate: Express sympathy and empathy, even if it wasn’t entirely your fault.
• Offer to discuss the matter: Extend an invitation for further communication to resolve the issue privately.
• Show authenticity: Sign off with your name or initials to convey genuine concern and reassure readers that a real person is attending to the matter.

Respond to Google reviews as promptly as you can. While responding within 48 hours is acceptable, the most ideal time frame is within 24 hours. By effectively managing your online reputation, you will boost credibility, even in the face of occasional negative feedback. 

3. Capitalize on post-appointment emails. 

Capitalizing on post-appointment emails is a crucial aspect of a dental practice marketing strategy. If your practice isn’t already sending these emails, it’s time to consider implementing them. 

Post-appointment emails serve as valuable touchpoints with your patients. They’re great ways to remind patients of essential information, including any necessary follow-up appointments. But they are also excellent opportunitites to encourage satisfied patients to share their positive experiences in the form of reviews. 

By proactively engaging with your patients through post-appointment emails, you can enhance patient satisfaction, boost your online reputation, and strengthen your practice’s marketing efforts.

4. Send out patient surveys.

Sending out patient surveys is a valuable practice in dental management. These surveys can incorporate both customer satisfaction and net promoter score measurements, allowing you to easily gauge patient experiences and loyalty. It’s wise to conduct these surveys periodically, such as after appointments, to capture real-time feedback. 

Moreover, the end of the survey is an ideal place to politely ask for patient testimonials. This proactive approach not only gathers patient opinions but also encourages those satisfied with your services to share their experiences publicly, bolstering your online reputation.

5. Ask for reviews on your practice’s social media channels. 

Another way to get reviews is to ask for them on your dental practice’s social media channels. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for this purpose, given their visual appeal and user-friendly interfaces.

Here are some key benefits of using social media for collecting and sharing reviews:

• Wider reach: Social media platforms are great for exposure since they have large user bases.
• Genuine engagement: You can interact with patients, respond to reviews, and foster a sense of community.
• Trust-building: Positive reviews on social media enhance your practice’s credibility.
• User-generated content: Patients’ reviews serve as authentic testimonials.
• Easy sharing: Patients can easily share reviews and promote your practice organically.

6. Avoid the temptation to incentivize patients for reviews. 

Steer clear of the temptation to incentivize reviews with offers like discounts or gifts to make sure you’re abiding by Google’s policies. Offering such incentives can lead to the loss of all your hard-earned reviews. 

Remember, while patient referrals and reviews are valuable, they must be obtained organically and authentically to maintain trust and integrity in your dental practice’s online presence.

Take your dental practice management to the next level with Grow.

A strong dental marketing strategy wouldn’t be complete without a focus on fostering a positive online reputation. Strategies like QR codes, post-appointment emails, and social media can significantly impact your practice’s online image. However, remember to tread cautiously—avoid incentivizing reviews, and always respond professionally.

To further develop your dental business and hygiene skills, explore Grow, Jameson’s own e-learning platform, which offers courses designed to cater to all roles and skill levels. Take your practice to the next level, boost patient trust, and drive success with the right digital strategies in place.